Home >> Collecting >> Other Collecting

How to Treasure Hunt for Old Glass

Old glass might once have been litter carelessly tossed away, but now old bottles, jars and other glassware are collectibles. The older and more unusual an item, the more valuable it becomes. Treasure hunting for old glass is both an enjoyable hobby and a way to raise a little extra cash.

Things You'll Need

Gardening or work gloves
Low-magnification binoculars
Bamboo cane
Trowel
Medium-sized cleaning brush
Old newspapers
Fabric bag

Instructions

- 1
  Get permission to go looking. If you plan to go treasure hunting on land that is not yours, contact the owners first. Even places open to the public, such as national parks, have restrictions on what you can take away and what you do there.
- 2
  Locate likely bottle spots. Look for old campsites, popular beauty spots, riverbanks and anywhere else people in the past might have thrown their trash.
- 3
  Start looking for glass. Practice makes it easier to spot glass against mud, vegetation, rocks and other litter. Binoculars help if you are searching a large area. Use a cane to find objects hidden in grass.
- 4
  Dig up the glass. When you see the glint of colored glass, carefully dig around the bottle or jar to loosen it. These items break easily, so take your time. Once you have the bottle out, brush away excess soil but wait till you get home to clean it properly.
- 5
  Wrap your find in a few sheets of newspaper to cushion it and put it in your bag.
- 6
  Clean the glass. Wash gently in warm water with a little detergent.
- 7
  Identify your glass. While a collection of liqueur bottles made last year might be attractive, it has little historical interest, or value, if you plan to sell. Knowing the history of a collection also makes it more interesting. Guides to old glass are available from larger bookstores, and plenty of information is available online.

Other Collecting